KENYA: Kenyan Catholic Church Bans Old Altar Wine, Introduces Exclusive New Brand

By Lapit Moses Punyuah, Nairobi, Kenya

The Kenyan Catholic Church has introduced a new brand of altar wine for use during Holy Mass, citing concerns that the previous brand had become too common in bars, hotels, and supermarkets across the country.

The new wine, simply labelled “Mass Wine,” bears the official coat of arms of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and a certification signature confirming its authenticity.

According to Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria, the move aims to restore reverence and exclusivity to the sacramental wine used in the Eucharist.

“The newly approved wine is not for sale at any business outlet, but is imported and owned by the KCCB, and only distributed to dioceses,” Archbishop Muheria said.

The decision follows widespread complaints from Catholic faithful who said the previous altar wine had lost its sacred meaning after becoming widely available for casual consumption.

Father Robert Kibaki, a Kenyan priest serving in California, told the press that many believers welcomed the move, saying, “It reached a point where even non-Catholics were using it. Catholics prefer to keep what is sacred exclusive to Catholic practice.”

The new Mass Wine was officially unveiled during the National Prayer Day at the Subukia National Marian Shrine in Nakuru, attended by nearly 60,000 worshippers.

KCCB Chairman Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba declared the new brand as the only wine to be used in Mass celebrations nationwide, directing all parishes to discontinue the old brand.